Enjoying the Small Things

When all else fails, there exists the ever present need to enjoy the small and simple things.With that said, a mindless but needful Friday post:

E N J O Y I N G . . .

Nella Messes.Her mad roller derby crawling skills and advanced mobility and curiosity bring with it new messes which are, in their own way, delightful to find. Messes like an entire bag of wheat puffs she dumped in the play room.

The Angry Face.She has to force it, but it’s so funny, I find myself prompting her. “Show me angry,” I’ll say. And she works so hard to hide her smile as she furrows her brow and purses her lips. Makes me laugh, every time.

You Gotsa Blizzard, We Gots Sunshine.Not that I’m rubbing it in because, Lord knows, I miss the cozy feeling of Batten Down the Hatches and watching mad flakes dance and skip and join forces for a victorious whiteout. However, after a string of boot-wearing, quilt-hugging days, the emergence of warm pavement that calls for bare feet and higher temps that beg for suits and clover-hunting afternoons is happily welcomed.

And our kickball doubles as therapy. It’s so funny to watch her strain her little side muscles to stay upright, and she’s gettin’ really good at it.

Chutes and LaddersShe’s still figuring out the rules of the game and kinda cheats by going up all the ladders and avoiding all the chutes…

…but she does think it’s really funny how the game pieces look like us.

Daddy Lovins.

Impromptu Getaways.They are redeeming in that they erase the busy and craziness of multi-tasking days and have a way of reversing event-filled schedules to a seemingly blank slate. And the shorter the notice, the better. Like, “Hey Brett, can you meet us at Steak ‘n Shake in twenty minutes?”

The excitement being that a family trip to Steak ‘n Shake is a first. And we handled it so–like tourists–requesting extra hats, a second shot of malt powder, a slab of bacon on an already greasy burger. When in Rome, Baby.

Hesitating For Just a Happy Moment Before I tell Lainey She Can’t Strong-arm Her Sister.

The Return to Sacred Ground.

Room 7, the walls of which hold our story. I debated giving it its own post, but it seems fitting the cathartic journey of returning to the room where Nella was born belongs, as it does in real life, amidst the rest of the current that has propelled us forward. It’s been interesting attempting to head back up there, first scheduled for the night before Nella’s birthday and planned to include several girls. However, a full moon delivered a wild labor ward that night, pushing (no pun intended) off our plans until a few days later, and then later, and again, another try. But Room 7 was busy blessing other mamas with their stories until last night, on a whim, I called up and found out indeed, it was waiting for me. Empty but alive. And, suddenly, I had butterflies in my stomach, and I’m not even sure why. It’s just that I feel so progressed from the devastation I felt in that place, and yet I wanted to reconnect with it in a way that would bridge the gap between there and here, then and now, before and after. I knew walking onto the sacred ground between those walls would reignite dormant emotion, and just thinking about it began its stirrings.

Fortunately, two kindred spirits came with me–one that was so very present that night and who remembers things even I don’t and one who wasn’t and wanted to hear the story from the place it started. So it was, Heidi and Nana Kate joined me for my journey to The Birth Place and I, in a moment of ceremonialism, scoured the house thirty seconds before we left, searching for divine tokens from that night. The plastic Sharpie-scrawled champagne cups we used to toast her birth, the same candles that flickered when we welcomed her. I tossed them in my bag and settled for a bottle of Coors Light to bring to fill the cups because we had no champagne, and off we went.

There was pain–the searing beauty of it when we stepped into that place. It was brief but concentrated. Like I could close my eyes and remember it like it was yesterday. Like I was standing in the room as a visitor at the edge of the bed watching my sad old self grimace and cry. I could feel the emotion that was so present that night.

We huddled, the three of us, for a small moment and cried. Hugged it out and patted backs. And then, it left. The pain left the building, and it became the room where we celebrated. Where flowers gathered and friends smiled and girls sat on my bed and told me she was the sweetest baby ever. I remembered the magic of that room very much like Room 10, three doors down, where three and a half years ago I heaved happy sobs when Lainey slipped into our lives. And so we popped the cork–or, in our case, twisted the cap–poured some golden bubbly and toasted to the love that began in that room…in the same cups that toasted that same love just a year ago.

We told Nana Kate all about that night, remembering things we almost forgot and marveling at how small the room seems now. “I swear the room was twice this size,” Heidi said. Because what happened in that room seems too big to fit in that space.

We sat on the bed and told stories last night in Room 7 for forty minutes. And we laughed…a lot. Heidi reenacted my guttural labor sounds and ran back and forth to the door, interpreting the funnier events of that night that deserve their part too. And it was all so very good and healing.

And I left, feeling lighter, renewed and restored by the full-circle revelation that pain not only brings healing, but redemption. I couldn’t help but remember the lyrics my sister wrote on her post announcing Nella’s birth.

Redemption comes in strange places, small spacesCalling out the best of who we are

And I want to add to the beautyTo tell a better storyI want to shine with the lightThat’s burning up inside

This is grace, an invitation to be beautiful ~Sara Groves

And because meaningful ceremonies like returning to birth rooms occur amid the less meaningful ebb and flow of life everyday–and that’s where they belong–I will sandwich the celebration of our defining moment between the rest of this post.

Enjoying the Small Things, Continued:Her Love-Me Eyes, One Year Later

New Home Stuff.…makes me happy and provides nice incentive to clean my house.

And our beautiful antique-looking tea caddy–tea being my favorite thing to serve to anyone who stops by because strangely, it makes me feel hospitable when the state of our house might suggest differently. Just waiting for someone to step into our wheat-puffed scattered living room so I can serve them a spot of tea, letting them select from this nice little box. Brushing up my British accent to go with it.

A $50 gift certificate to Timeless Settings will be given to a random commenter on this post.

And the Elizabeth St. gift certificate winner is Commenter #207, Kelly Cach (Hi, Kelly!):Oh, so sorry! This hurts my heart to the core…my Gabe is 9 and my Eli is 7. Will be holding them even tighter today. Prayers for your friend and blessings to you today, Kelly

Kelly, you know where to send your info! xoxo

And a big sigh to follow a big post.Many happy moments to you this weekend.

Loving all of the pictures from the hospital. I wish I would’ve thought of doing something like that the year after Morgan’s birth. And I love that you remember your room #s from both babies. No need to brush up on your British accent. I’ve heard it and you’ve got it down, girl! Love the distressed tea caddy!

I wonder how the heck I’d feel if I went back to the rooms where I birthed my 6 babies. Every one in a different hospital, in 3 states. And we’re not military. Can you believe that? Anyway, when I deliver this next and final baby (#7) I will make sure to remember the room number so I can go back a year later. ♥

Kelly, Thank you so much for sharing your stories.. for putting your life in photos and words for the rest of us to learn from. Thank you for believing that your life tells a story bigger than you know. Even like trips to Steak ‘n Shake.

Kelly, Thank you so much for sharing your stories.. for putting your life in photos and words for the rest of us to learn from. Thank you for believing that your life tells a story bigger than you know. Even like trips to Steak ‘n Shake.

Amazing, the journey we can take in one year, just 365 days, and yet we live a lifetime…I’ve had one of those years too. The bruises are gone, the tears are dried, the calluses a reminder of the strength God gives each of us to endure the bleak reality that to live life to the fullest, means giving way to the ebb and flow of the waves. What a happy year.

What a special thing to do, going to the birth room, to remember. You seem to be a very beautiful woman filled with grace. You have a beautiful family, your children are precious and I really enjoy your blog. I LOVE the tea caddy. I am also a daily tea drinker/server. Have a wonderful weekend.

Oh, how I wish I could wear a bathing suit outside without the fear of hypothermia or frost bite. Oh, how I miss the color green outside my window. I’m trapped in snow banks up to my ears in New Hampshire!

I love Lainey’s strong hold on Nella! With their matching shirts, it’s hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. I hope that continues for them forever.

So glad you made it back to the hospital room with your friends. Healing I’m sure. I loved how you tucked something so powerful into the day to day normalness of your life in this post. My little bean turns “half cooked” as I liked to call it this week at 20 weeks. I can’t wait for the opportunity to teach, love and enjoy as you do with your little girls!

I love that you share these beautiful moments… Your words are so inspiring… I can honestly say I’ve never felt so moved by the love and emotion you share in each post, whether you are talking about heartache, or the “Unimportant” things. I simply adore your blog. Your daughters are beyond beautiful…

Love the wheat puffs on the floor. I am stepping on rice cake bits- crumbled on the floor by our little one-as I type. This is why I will never be without a dog. She always comes and happily cleans up the mess before I can worry over it.

Love Lainey’s angry face! That is so cute! Love Nella’s too tired to eat face. Lainey’s first picture with the Steak n Shake hat is just so cute! My husband walked up as I scrolled down to the next Nella photo and he exclaims, “WOW she is just so cute!” Yep, that’s Nella! Just adorable! Then I showed him Lainey’s angry face! LOL Great post today!

Glad to hear you have come full circle. I had to do that too from having such a tramatic giving birth experience. Writing about it sure helps.

I bought some stuff before Christmas to decorate with and keep putting off the cleaning to decorate! I’ll get there….

It took me about 5 minutes to read this post and in those 5 minutes I felt the need to laugh, bawl, laugh, bawl, laugh while bawling, and smile. It’s like I was right there, knowing EXACTLY how you felt, cause I lived it too, and what turned out to be the most devastating day of my life, ended up teaching me so much and giving me the best gift I have ever been given in my life. “Goodbye” back at you sweet Nella!!

I love the photo at the top of your webpage with the girl coloring. I am assuming that is a picture of your little girl. It reminds me of a picture of my mother when she was a little girl. There is a black and white photo of her on the ground coloring. It is one of my favorites. So beautiful!

I just discovered your blog yesterday and spent hours reading it. The photos drew me in ~ incredible photography! Then I discovered the story of Nella’s birth and I read it three times. I love how you share your heart and your soul. You do it with your words and with your photographs. Thank you for sharing!

What a treat for me to read of your return to the birthing room where “only yesterday” (to me ~ and I suspect, in some ways to you as well) beautiful Nella brought her magic into your world.

I’m so glad that I found your blog. I’ve added a link to it on my blog roll.

Haha, all my births have been in the OR. Not exactly a romantic place to go back too!

Still I do know what you mean about going back to a place of such import. My oldest was in the NICU for 7 weeks and when we went back to that hospital for a little scare during my second pregnancy all of those emotions came flooding back.

Oh, I love how you sandwiched the birth room re-visit between a post. I am so happy that it was a good thing and that it stirred emotion even if it was raw. Your friend Heidi is a lovely, lovely soul who loves you so. As does Nana Kate. Blessings sometimes are hard to count when they may be infinite.

it is so nice to know that other people have wheat puffs on their floor. and three year olds with angry faces. hers is adorable. the tourist approach to the local steak and shake is perfect–after all, if we can visit the town we live in like we don’t live there, we can have much more fun exploring it and appreciating what makes it unique!congrats on making it through the visit to the hospital room. just think, from that first post about nella’s birth to what you’re doing now, how many lives you’ve touched, people you’ve inspired, and moms you’ve encouraged…what a great gift.

I’m so glad you were able to get back to Room 7 and that you had such strong, fantastic company. It sounds like it was just what you needed! LOVE LOVE LOVE the pic of Nella in the grass – nothing is better under perfect little feet.

definitely the perfect friday post – thank you for your openness and honesty, and encouragement. we are all on different paths, but i am in awe of your strength and you inspire me to stay strong and face the storm… and the refreshing rain.

Serving Tea makes you feel like some proper English lady doing all the right things for polite society when in reality you are a slightly disheveled Mom with a bag of store bought cookies and microwaved water for the tea. Let’s face it Mommies never lose the desire to play pretend!Love your blog.

I read your blog regularly and just love all that you share… my uncle was born with Rubensteins and through their experience, my grandparents started an organization in Ontario that provides so many options for children, youth, and adults with various challenges, such as summer camps, group homes, etc. Thank you for sharing such intimate details…. love from laura in British Columbia, Canada

I love how you know what room you were in when you had your girls. I don’t remember my number but my little boy never saw that room for more then a minute before he was rushed to the nicu for 5 days,the total time we spent there. However I do remember where he was in the nicu and what bed. I have often wanted to visit, I might just give it a try, since it was a very painful 5 days.

With each post we invite you into our home as you invite us into yours. My boys all run to the computer to see Nella and all her beauty. “baybay”…says my Lucas, I scroll to a picture of her and his smile speaks louder than the words he has not yet mastered. I find myself so emotional reading your posts…joy, sadness, understanding. Thank you for sharing.

Awww, I love the pictures of Lainey holding Nella. If I had to go back and do my kids’ toddler and babyhood over, I’d let them do more of that. I was too worried about somebody getting hurt or crying…but really, kids need more rough and tumble love together. My little ones are 9 and 6.5 now and they’re in a phase of not wanting to touch each other…breaks a mama’s heart. I miss watching those fresh little ones roll around in diapers like two puppies. <3

You WOULD put them in bathing suits and shorts as my small fry is in flannel and fleece!! I do love the homey feeling that we created this week but I am living vicariously through you and your Florida weather!!

Sometimes i feel silly when i read your blog and get all choked up but i am so happy that you allow us all to follow you and your awesome family. You are super cool, Lainey is the sweetest sister, Brett is precious (Go Gators!) and Nella…she is the sweetest bunny I’ve ever seen! Thanks for reminding us all that no day is guaranteed and to find the beauty & fun in the simple and ordinary. That’s what it’s all about.

So I normally don’t post, but it didn’t take me long after reading your sister’s post about Nella’s arrival to convince me to just do it. Not sure if you remember or have gone back, but 4th comment down Angie Seaman said “Embrace that baby girl – know that she was sent to you for a reason. Because you are a strong soul – one able to handle the job ahead when it comes to parenting a special needs/downs syndrome child. It takes a special few and YOU ARE ONE OF THEM!!! With your writings, the world is about to embark on some education when it comes to special needs children, life with them, and life in the world as others view them. God knows you can bring awareness if anyone can.”

Do you know JUST how right she was? Check that number on the ONEder fund. Proudly wave that “Best Special Needs Blog” winner title from The Bump. Nella chose you for that very reason. You have done more than just raise awareness. You have taught each and every one of us to love special needs children for who they are rather than feeling sorry for them. And why should anyone feel sorry? Nella is beautiful and perfect. When I see her pictures, I never see downs syndrome…just beautiful baby blues and a smile that touches your heart. You are so very blessed. I’m glad you got to revisit her birth place and enjoy the laughter and the small things!

Thank you. I think that you are helping a lot of NICU mommas heal as well. My little girl’s 1st birthday is in 8 days. I got to hold her for 2 seconds after she was born and than not again for 6 days.

When I saw the picture of your hospital room before even reading the paragraph I was in tears. My hospital room was such a sad lonely place as I heard all the other mommy’s with their babies and I was alone with my pump.

First of all, prayers to your friends family on the loss of their child. I read it on your fb post, but didn’t get a chance to get to the blog to comment. My son had his tonsils out yesterday, I’ve been busy basking him in love. And popsicles.

Ummm Steak & Shake milkshakes are DA BOMB. Our local S&S closed a few years ago, and I drive past that empty building almost daily, longing for a millkshake!

Beautiful post! My son cheats at Chutes & Ladders too, I don’t know why that game even has rules. And Nella’s love-me eyes, are just so, so beautiful. Oh and BTW- I can’t remember jack when it comes to numbers…appointment dates/times, hell, even the balance of my checkbook, but my kids were born in rooms 13 and 1, respectively.

I am so happy that you had time to go back to the hospital room. I remember feeling the same way about my own trip back to the hospital room where I said goodbye to my daughter who was born still. But it was so very precious to me and helped me to remember that although it was the site of the most painful moment of my life, it was also the place where I met and held her for the very first time. So hard to bring together such conflicting feelings, but that’s what bittersweet is all about, eh? For me, 15 years later, it is still just as powerful, but much less bitter. In the end, the sweet is all that will remain.

I remember finding you shortly after Nella was born. I remember just weeks later welcoming our little boy into the world. I’ve loved watching our little ones grow together this last year. Here’s to much more love and joy this next year!

I’ve been following your blog for about a year now. No kids or creative craft-making abilities here, but your endless optimism and lovely pictures keep me coming back. Blessings to you and your family!

You were so brave to go back to Room 7. Can’t imagine the strength it must have taken from your inner core. Nella is a beautiful girl, as is her big sister Lainey. Look forward to your posts every day!

Love how you celebrated Nella’s birth by visiting the room where it all began..Her love-me eyes are beautiful..The trip to Steak n’ Shake looked like fun–hats and greasy bacon-yum!…I so enjoy how you share all the big and small things that happen in your life..

I noticed your new header today and just gazed at it for a while…so beautiful. And then your post just got better and better from there.

Every time I work with my student who has Down Syndrome, I think of you and Nella. Today, she was in a fiery mood and threw a few choice names at me and her other teachers. And I chuckled to myself, wondering how you would write about that and make it beautiful. No matter what, she always makes me smile, as do your posts. Thanks for that.

I am so amazingly happy for you that you returned to room seven, and toasted to such an amazing year. The song selection is so wonderful for this post – because of you and Nella you are definitely making a difference in the world of other babies born with DS. You are changing the world.

On a lighter note! I love the exersaucer of Nella’s. In Canada we aren’t supposed to have ones with wheels! Crazy!

It seems very appropriate that you have started this post with Nella’s delightfully alive act of spilling the cereal all over the floor! Then you go back to her birth-room- a place of such tumultuous emotion. May she bring you much joy with her smiles and her messes as her second year gets underway. And much love to her big sister Lainey as well.

aww, look at Nella waving. i love her. i’m so glad you got to go back to the delivery room…and i’m really happy that it was theraputic for you.And ummm…I’m sitting her with a blanket on my shoulders because it’s freezing IN my house, and you’re flaunting bathing suit weather. Gah! Going to check out the store…love your tea caddy!Enjoy your weekend!xoKris

I always love the enjoying the small things posts. Makes me remember all of the small things that I love so much in my own life, which is always good after a busy and eventful week at work. Thanks as always for posting!

I get so excited every time I log onto blogger and see Enjoying The Small things in my new posts list. I know I am about to be renewed and refreshed to find beauty in this crazy life. This post didn’t fail me.

Every time I read your updated post I either laugh or cry. And not always sad tears. Today as I scrolled down and saw the picture of you in room 7, well out came the tear. Neither happy or sad but I guess proud. Thanks so much for sharing your incredible journey with such honesty and grace.

You are so very brave to go back to room #7…you are a very strong momma! Oh…and the sleepy eating Nella is one of my faves…EVER!!!!! But the one of her eyes closeup…another fave…and she looks like you in that one! I just love her to pieces…and I love your tea caddy. Pick me, pick me, pick me! xoxo

I’ve decided that’s the key to hostessing as a parent of young, messy little loves. Have some good eats or a nice drink to offer to cover my desperately-need-a-scrubbing bathrooms and dust-ridden surfaces!

Love the post, especially the Chutes and Ladders section. I have a 6, 4, and soon to be 2 year old. My oldest still loves to play this game together and my 4 year old is very much like your daughter and only enjoys the ladders! Thank you for another wonderful post!!!

Time really does heal all wounds, doesn’t it. Thank you for such a hope filled post. I am suffering through the loss of a love at the moment, and this post helped me feel that all is not lost. Thank you.

So glad you were able to go back to your room. It must have felt like a big weight was lifted off your chest. I get super sentimental just returning to the hospital where Evie was born, I can just imagine what being in her room would be like.

Check out the children’s book “My Heart is Like a Zoo”. I’m a teacher and my class just had fun making all sorts of different animals out of heart shapes based on that book today – I bet it’s something you’d enjoy crafting and turning into valentines with your girls! Beautiful post – happy you were able to reminisce that special day on year ago.

I feel a bit of being there with you–thank you for sharing that intimate part of your family with us. We are so blessed to rejoice with you, ache with you, and raise our glasses around the world to the “cry-til-you-laugh-til-you-cry” moments of life.

A friend of mine who’d just experience deep grief linked your blog just after Nella was born, saying she was so moved by that post. I read it. I cried. And I’ve been coming back for more ever since. Reading your return journey post, I teared up again. Mostly, I think, because I can see how you’ve grown, how your love, and hers, has given you cause to celebrate. And I am so thrilled to see someone shouting it from the rooftops.

I absolutely love how you shower every post with lots of pictures. You truly have a gift with photography!I also love the chicken wire planter and the tea caddy! They are both so unique. I would love to be the winner of this one!

Thank you. I am a new reader and absolutely adore reading your blog and seeing pictures of your beautiful girls. I love the opportunities to win goodies at the end too! Thanks Kelle. ~Melissa in Virginia

I have had a pretty lousy week – in so many directions! Your post today was such a lovely reminder for me to remember all my “small things”. I have so much to be grateful for and I will spend the weekend dwelling on those, not the bad stuff. Thanks for sharing.

Your post today has taken me back to my special day July 31, 2010, when we welcomed our beautiful daughter Allison into our lives. Your posts inspire me everyday and I am truly thankful to have discovered your blog. Keep rockin’ it Kelle!

Yet again cue the tears and pass the kleenex. Every time I read your blog it moves me. I’m so happy for you that you were able to revisit the place where you were blessed. Sometimes life hands us things and it takes a while for us to make sense of it all, but it sounds like you are getting it all figured out. May your journey be filled with love, laughter and joy.

You are an incredibly strong woman to have the strength to go back to that delivery room. When my son was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and he wasn’t breathing. I went hours before I ever got to see (or hear him) for the first time and the doctors weren’t sure he would make it. He turned 6 last Saturday and I have never had the strength to return to that room.

I love enjoying the small things with you Kelle.And as always, a lovely list of goodness to make me smile!Nella’s soulful eyes melt my heart everytime! And Lainey’s angry face….priceless! Love it! Love it all!xo

We’ve been drinking the weather in. Even though our impromptu trip to your part of the country brought sadness, the weather keeps reminding us that it will be ok. So glad we are here and not back home in Houston where it has been in the 20’s all week. xoox

How nice that you were able to come full circle and go back and visit your room. I can’t believe its been over a year since all of this has happened. Your journey has been amazing and beautiful. Thank you for allowing us to come along with you!

I have an eight month old boy and it always happens. Whenever I see pictures of another beautiful baby I think of him. I also have a three year old boy and everytime I come here, I think about my two when I look at your two.

Thanks for taking us with you, back to that place and that day… that day is how so many of us found you. And by the way, you can have your clover. I’m loving our 3 snow days this week and our 18″ of white!

When I found out about Deo she was in the NICU and I was in different hospital they let me leave the hospital for a couple hours to go visit her. When we got to the NICU they told us about the DS. I thought I had died. I won’t say I don’t still hurt but the happiness is so much more. She was born on Dec 19, 2009, and we found out on the 20th. This last year I have been taking up donations up to the hospital and for Christmas I did a gift collection from family, friends & coworkers to take up there for Christmas. When I made the plan to go I set the date and didn’t even think about it. About a week before I took the donations up I realized it was Dec 20th a year after. Let me tell you I was so scared, but it was so healing and perfect. It was the best way for me to celebrate and be thankful for where I am today. I know I say this on every post but I mean it. Thank you for your strength and honesty it helps me be strong and honest with my joys and pains. Happy Friday hugs&Luvs from SLC, UT.

I have that same chicken wire planter!! I recently put green decorative spheres in it to bring some “spring” to our home decor, even though we have had 4 days of (way) below freezing temps and 4 inches of snow this morning. This is so unusual for our area, so I was really nostalgic for those enjoyable outdoor weather photos you put in this post!

Cheers to Nella – she’s truly changed the world already in one little year!

I LOVE tea. Can’t get enough of it, and love trying new kinds!

My favourite pictures from today’s post? The one of Lainey at Shake & Steak wearing the silly but adorable hat lookin all sailor-like, and the one of Nella sitting outside that you put beside the one of the clovers. A-DORABLE!

Funny butterflies and tears in my eyes when reading about you going back to that room. It made me remember the first time I read Nella’s birth story and how it touched me so deeply. I’m glad you got to go back, and I’m glad you get to go forward happily!! – Amy

Kelle, I loved every single part of this post…Nella on the therapy ball, she is doing awesome!! Love lil Lainey’s mad face:) So happy you made it back to room 7, full circle, baby! Can I just say I always thought Heidi was your blonde friend…crazy, lol! xo Happy Weekend:)

Wow. I did not have near the experience you did when giving birth to my almost-1-year old, but I was just back in the same hospital where I had him while visiting a family member who just had her baby. It was amazing how I was instantly transported back to February 23rd of last year. Even the variety of smells were all too familiar Thank you for sharing!

Like you, new household items or a bouquet of flowers make me crave a very clean house enough to dust with an actual rag and some spray (as opposed to my sleeve as I pass by). I’m stuck up here in Chicago with sick kids, sick neighbors, and 2 feet of snow and had to drag my1 year old away from the (oddly enough) rice puffs, too, today!

I just lucked upon your blog about a week or so ago and I’ve been touched ever since!

Thank you for sharing Nella’s story, your story…your beautiful family’s story with us.

Seriously, every time I come to your blog and find a new post, I immediately feel like I’m cozying up on my couch in fuzzy slippers and coffee cup in one hand sitting back and listening to the heartfelt words of a dear friend.

You have a gift Kelle (two beautiful blonde headed gifts for sure), but yes, YOU have a gift… for sharing life. Life with its ups, downs, twists and turns, smiles and tears, etc. and with every word and picture that you post, you wonderfully capture and welcome us into your life. It’s real and it’s honest and it’s WONDERFUL!!!

Thank you so much! And if words could be hugs then please know I am sending a great BIG one out to you (and yes, yes, yes, please share the hugs with Nella and Lainey as well!) Oh, and your sweet hubby of course…after all, he rocks too! Okay, and add your friends and the rest of your family, and (well, you get the picture…LOL!)

What a beautiful idea, returning to where it all began. I’m reliving the birth of The Love Magnet vicariously through your post. I knew before the doctors figured it out. That entire night of agony and wondering how on earth I could be the mama she needed. 8 years later and now I wouldn’t change a thing. What keeps me afloat during the hard times is the love of my family and the moms in my DS community. Sending cyber hugs to you all.

Candy Land was one of my favorites as a kid, and WOW, has it changed a lot. It’s on my list of games to get now that my little one is getting old enough. And I must admit that Lainey’s angry face made me giggle. Such a sweetie!

Thank you for sharing true feelings on your life, from the smallest of things to the most life defining moments. You have opened my eyes up to a new way to share and enjoy the little things in my every day life with my family. Your family is beautiful!

If I didn’t love all the beautiful photos so much (and have insane jealousy for the tea caddy) I’d say something mean and more insanely jealous about the weather! What a great glimpse into the little gifts of life!

Love, love, and more love. I love watching beautiful Nella grow up, and looking foreward to what is in store for my sweet Sarah just a couple of months down the road. I’m so glad your trip back to Nella’s birth room was such a wonderful, healing experience. I’ve been thinking of making that same journey at Sarah’s first birthday. Sarah was in the NICU for 7 days after her birth, and several months ago we went back to visit the nurses who took such good care of her. They all loved on her, and ooo’ed and ahh’ed over her fabulous self, and took pictures to hang on their wall. That would be my healing place.

Kelle, I think one of the reasons you manage to inspire so many people is because you just do things that so many people want to do but don’t- in fear of being questioned. Ie: busting out a not so hideable camera at any public gathering to capture the moment, or visiting the room with friends in tow to sip coors light. You are an inspiration! Your heart must have very little in the way of ” I wish I could have done thats”The post is very comforting. Love those baby blues and the angry face!

I don’t think your girls could be any cuter!!! And if you’re looking for a place to visit and watch some snow fall, I’m thinking Connecticut is a pretty good choice!! I’m sure we could find an extra room or an igloo for you to stay in. 60″ of snow — and expecting more tomorrow!! I’d gladly trade my winter coat (gloves, hats, boots and don’t forget the ice scraper and shovels!) for your bare feet and bathing suits!! I’ll be there soon enough – March 10th! YAY!!! =0)Happy Weekend Hamptons! Soak up some rays for me!~Beth

You seem to be enjoying a lot of things, but you can never have enough small things to enjoy, am I right?

It’s so very brave that you went back to Nella’s room. Some people would have had an even harder time than you, and for some might not even want to face that room at all, but not you. I’m glad that instead of heartache and pain, it only came briefly and then you could create a whole new memory about retelling of the good memories of Nella’s birth. From what you write, there must have been some funny and great things that happened.

It is wonderful, and completely amazing, that something people can think of as so “terrible” (such as a baby having DS) can actually be a blessing, and become something you accept and love just for what it is- Nella. It is Nella and she is beautiful and lovable and so very perfect. So is lainey with that “angry” face. Love it!!

I love winter, but tonight your weather looks divine. Love where you live.

And I love the first wheat-puff photo! Sometimes we forget to photograph the messes.

Your trip back to room 7…so healing, so full circle, so great the hospital accommodated you. I ended up needing a cesarean with my girl, and would love to revisit the OR, but not so sure they would let me. Maybe I’ll call.

You are seriously such an amazing writer! I could read your stuff over and over again. I try to do that and I can’t get the words to invoke the feeling that I want. Thank you for being such an inspiration in so many ways!

Sweetness. Love those cups. And your girls’ sweet faces. Glad you took the memory lane trip, and that it was good. Mine looks a bit different, but I don’t know that I want or need to do it. Hm. We’ll see. Nella’s wave? Pure gold, darling!

My 2-year-old daughter caught me reading your blog the other day – before you changed your header pic – and every morning since then has asked to wear “a dress like the ‘ady” (she can’t say L’s; slightly problematic given her name starts with one…).

How on earth did you get the hospital to allow you back in there? Ours would never let me do that. I’d love to go back to the room where I labored with my twins, where at 2am I gave up trying to labor (pitocin induced, they just weren’t ready) and told the OB to just cut me open, the boys needed out for their safety. I would give anything to go back in that room, over 8 years later.. sigh.

Love the posts like this. You do enjoy the small things, but first, you notice them. Thanks again for the wonderful reminder to do this more. So many people rarely slow down and pay attention to all the little details of their lives.

I’ve been waiting for this post, for the visit back to the sacred place. Thanks for remembering to include the details- like the plastic champagne cups, and the candles. Your remembering helps me to remember. And I need to do that more.

I bought a little plaque from Target the other day. I brought it home, put it on an easel, and proclaimed to my husband, “There’s not enough laughter in this house. From now on, this is our motto. ‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…it’s about learning to dance in the rain’.” And while this isn’t a new saying, it’s a new addition to our house. And I intend to make it happen. Thanks for being such an inspiration!

I read your blog in the early morning’s and late nights, when my heart needs to feel hugged. Lainey and Nella, Brett and you Kellie do that for me. Your words hug my heart and make me know, life will be ok!

Love being with you on your adventure of life…….I seriously would love to pack up my kids and just come play at your house……too bad I am so far away……

Glad that you went back to the delivery room. At that time you probably couldn’t even imagine how wonderful this past year has truly been and how special that little girl was going and is going to be. God has a plan for all of us and sometimes we don’t even know what it is and where it is going to take us.

kelle, i would love to come to your house for “a spot of tea” admist the wheat puff covered floors. sounds lovley. i bet you are a most gracious hostess. you have such a sunny beautiful soul which always comes through in your writing and pictures.i really love the pics of your two sprites together, you can feel how strong the bond of love between them is. my 14 month old grandson logan just recently learned how to throw tantrums, and it is so cute and hilariously funny! he throws the biggest fits just for paw paw to take him with him-because his paw paw is indeed his most favorite person on earth. God bless ya kelle!

I love that you embrace wheat puff littered floors and little “cheats” during Chutes and Ladders. Those days go by so quickly. Our baby boy is home from college this weekend (sometimes he just gets a hankering to sleep in his own bed and hang out with mom & dad). He brings with him his own Nella messes but come Monday it will be orderly and quiet around here again…too quiet. We’re enjoying the happy he brings…enjoy your happy moments this weekend too!

i adore the little things you find after a day when the kiddos are asleep. magic wands put away in the silverware drawer, little mouth marks on the front door from baby “kissing” the window every time a neighbor, dog, salesman walked by and a trail of cheerios leading to a hidden stash by a 16 month old. we will all miss these things terribly when they are older. it is indeed the good stuff.

You had me at Steak n Shake … YUM! And send some of that warm weather up here to Virginia. On another note, I recently had the opportunity to revisit an experience that I remembered as painful and in it I was renewed. I feel ya, girl. Live it. Love it.

Here in Delaware, we’re right on the edge of the blizzard-y weather. Sometimes we get buried in snow, sometimes we get frozen in ice and most times – we get rain. But whatever the weather (which, coincidentally never matches up with what the weatherman predicts) I’m getting a little bored of this cold, wet stuff and am admittedly jealous of your bathing suit clad girls and there sunny backdrops. But, as always, happy for you!

I am always so happy to open your blog and see a new post. I definitely needed an “enjoy the small things” reminder today. I hope you enjoy your wonderful weather. I’m in Michigan and got so incredibly jealous of your outdoor babies.

As always, another beautiful post! Your pictures are simply gorgeous! Lainey has the cutest angry face, and I find myself getting happily lost every time you post a close-up of Nella’s warm and inviting eyes. So glad you had a nice trip down memory lane in the room where your journey with Nella began!

Amazing! How wonderful you got to visit the room where Nella was born. As someone who has been with women in labor for support, that was so wonderful and healing for you!The cold temps are done here for awhile. No heat and bare feet yet, but 20’s feels like a HEAT WAVE! Cannot wait until Spring!

I stumbled upon your page just last week after seeing the link on an old classmate’s blog. Checked it out and it was The Net post. Shame on you for making me cry when I don’t even know you!! jk. Loved it, read Nella’s birth story and it was (as all birth stories seem to be) beautiful and sad and earth-shattering and lovely.

It is good to ‘go back’ sometimes and wrap up those loose ends. It helps us to look to the future with renewed vigor and focus. I’m glad you were able to go back!Nella’s stiff leg pose with the ball made me relive Olivia’s pre-walking days. So cute.

I remember about a year ago when I stumbled upon your blog and the very first entry I read was the one of Nella’s birth. IT was raw with emotion and I was hooked. I love to watch your little girls grow up and to relate to your every day life! I am now enjoying the small things also!

I have a daughter that was born right around the same time as Nella and I know how important it is to remember and cherish those small things. And good for you for visiting the hospital room. That is amazing.

Love this post so very much! You’ve done what many of us *should* do. I think about my days of giving birth to Gabe many times, reliving and sorting through the “I should have…”. But I am happy to be here right now.

My absolute hands down photos of this post is Lainey holding onto Nella! OMG. Those two are beyond adorable and I can see them way into their teen years doing the same thing!♥♥

Amazing memories are created each day. I love all that you share with others. Our hearts are open and connected, Great friendships from far away.Enjoying the small things- Illinois Style:Snow day from the Blizzard of 2011.February, it’s the beginning of a new “try” for pregnancy with the help of FCIL.New friends.

Steak N Shake! Wow, wish I could have been there with you! I’m an Indiana girl who’s been living in Colorado for 10 years, we don have S&S out here nd my trips home every year just don’t calm the cravings for a Frisco Melt sometimes! Hope you enjoyed, and next time you go, think of me and my run on sentences. =)

I love that you’re such a good mom that you go to SteakNShake. I’m so sick of the do-right moms who won’t let their kids enjoy the wonders of my own childhood–like steak-n-shake. You do exactly what I want to do when I have kids. Thank you!

Happy for the next steps of your journey….thanks for sharing the first year – your steps are far more impactful than you will ever know. And on a lighter note – here’s to Splendid for Target – we have the same “comfy” outfit here in Tally and are looking forward to slightly warmer days to rock it :).

Uh, that little wave has got to be the latest thing today. Absolutely blessed you are to have received sweet nella as your daughter. He chose the right mama on that one. And don’t you love the new line at Target? So Ralph lauren/ screw, but so much much cheaper. Makes playing outside so much less stressful.

Wtf? That’s what I get for trying to send msgs on my new smart phone: the words that don’t make sense, should be, cutest and jcrew. Sorry. I’ll get this thing someday. Bear with me and read weird posts from me until then!,

I believe the first thing I said to my husband after reading this post was… “We’re moving to Florida! Swimsuits in February are my kind of Winters!” Even though I’m born and raised in Indiana, us getting hit by this crazy ice and snow has done me in this Winter. I’m looking forward to Summer. I can’t wait to see my little girl in bathing suits. She loves the water! We’re going to be welcoming a new addition in September, so I’ll be in the pool with her all summer too!

So glad you finally made it to room #7. Wish I could get to the operating room I delivered my greatest miracle in this April! Living vicariously through you. Loved Lainey’s “angry”. Happy weekend to you, Kelle!

I’m so jealous of your weather. My pictures are so different from yours because of all the snow! I love that you let Nella taste the milkshake at Steak ‘n Shake too. My Barret (13months) loves those milkshakes…and it kind of makes me feel like a bad mom giving into his sweet tooth, but what would life be like without it?!

I live in Michigan so I’m holding it down for you with all the snow and the snow suits and the snowmen in which we want to but a bathing suit on to have a glimpse of summer. What a fond memory of returning to the room I hope it fulfilled you in every way you needed it too. Cheers

My husband walked into the office at the moment I was looking at Lainey’s angry face and he said, “hey, that’s the face you make!” Haha. I also like to make that face with him and try not to smile. Thanks for the good feelings that come from your post!

You inspire me to embrace life every time you post. I am a mom and a grammy and there is much to be joyful about, but your blog always rings the little bell I need to hear, regardless of the events of the day. Thank you, Kelle!

I simply love your blog and your photography! I’m trying to learn to take better pictures of my little pickle – he’s 6 mo. older than Nella, and frankly, I think he might be in love with her! He does the head-tilt onto my shoulder with the big sweet smile aimed at the computer when he sees pictures of her.

And to add to the random-column: Lainey and I share an awesome name (great pick, momma), half of my family is from MI – Muskegon area, while I am in Nebraska. Most of my daily business is in FL and have been to Naples (the Ritz is fab!) and I Want, wAnt, WANT that tea-holder.

Always love your posts and your very fun family! I know you love doing craft with your girls:) I have 2 girls too and when they were little we loved making painted toast…..all you need is white bread, little cups of “paint” (milk mixed with food coloring) and paint brushes. Let your 2 little sweeties paint the bread, lightly toast and eat your art!~ Yummy. There is a SIMPLE, fun way to make butter too with both of your cuties. Give them each a cold, empty baby food jar filled with heavy cream (2/3 full). Then let them shake it like crazy. Doing it to music is even more fun! Soon the cream changes to butter!!

And, we also loved just going out on the driveway with fun buckets of water and different sized brushed and painting the pavement with water!

I just have to say I’ve been “stalking” your blog for a long time and haven’t commented. I say a prayer every day for you and for strength. You are doing an amazing work by getting your story out and you are a blessing to those out there who are going through similar situations. Love to you!

I don’t know how you do it but, girl, darn near every one of your posts has me catching my breath and brushing back tears. Thank you for sharing (I know I’ve said it before but really, can one ever be thanked enough?) your beautiful family and your amazing story with us.

My friend came up with this beautiful concept: Enjoyifying God. It occurs when we soak up the beauty of nature, our friends, family, children, our very lives. It happens when we sit around a fire pit at a backyard barbecue with beers in hand and laugh into the dark with loved ones. It is there when we sit by a pond for an hour doing nothing but skipping stones and making duck calls with blades of grass. When we choose to enjoy His creation and gifts, we glorify Him. Enjoyify. You, my friend, do it very very well.

Wow, what great reminders to stop and enjoy the small things…even the looks of our children. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in cleaning the messes that we forget about the precious little hands that made them. Thanks for sharing.

Few things:love the matching outfits. Lainey has such a pretty eye color.And the faces of your girls when Lainey was picking up Nella cracked me up. My favorite pics of my kids are always the ones with funny expressions.

Thank you for sharing the small & grand moments of this week & your lives for the past year. What wonderful retrospectives. Oh, I could definitely use some hospitality around here–love that little Tea caddy!

If you preface something with a “not that I’m rubbing it in”, then you’re rubbing it in!! haha But, I totally would be if I were you…we have about 20 inches of snow here right now, it’s a bit obnoxious really 😉

Kelle, I have loved your blog for a long time, but it’s not always that I’m able to enjoy the background music, but when the opportunity presents itself, it’s such a delight because your choices illuminate in such a lovely way the joy of your life and the moments with your beautiful girls who, as far as I can tell from your photos, have inherited your zest and talent for squeezing the best out of each day.

What a wonderful idea to go back to the place that introduced so many to this wonderful blog!I’m sure it was healing to go back and come home and realize all the good that has happened since. Love your blog!

we just pulled out our chutes and ladders game yesterday for our 2 year old, and i thought it might need a makeover- being sent down the chute for accidentally breaking dishes seems a little unfair. shenais

Small Things I’m Enjoying? Shopping days with my mom (which I did today), $2.97 racks at JC Penney, movie nights with the girls, and staying in on a snowy day and enjoying a good book. Thanks for sharing your “small things” with us! I love a good dinner at Steak ‘n Shake! Delicious!

As a Floridian transplanted to the North, I’m so jealous of the weather. I so want to take my two kiddos outside and let them feel the sunshine on their faces, grass between their toes, etc., but the 38 degree rain isn’t really allowing us to do that.

(And I’m really jealous of the Steak n’ Shake – so delicious. What I would do for a chocolate shake and a side of cheese fries right now….)

One of the things I love best about reading your blog is that you actually *DO* things… things like re-visiting the place where your adventure began. Most people would only just think of going… but you not only go, you do it up in style!xoKate

Love this post!! Love that you put the visit in the middle of life – as usual, so appropriate. Your girls are so beautiful. Love Nella’s brown spot – one of my kids has that too! Thinking of making milkshakes now eventhough it’s so cold and snowy in Chi-town today. Enjoy the weekend!

there is such power in returning to a place where we were changed so deeply. so glad you had the courage to do it and that healing was found. i love your blog and always take something away from every post!

Loved this post! & I love that you went back to the birth room. I don’t have any littles yet, but I think that’s an amazing way to celebrate life & remind us of where we’ve been compared to where we are now. Just beautiful.

ps. totally jealous of the weather – we got half an inch of snow in san antonio!

You always give such great ideas, things I wish I had thought of or done after Chloes birth. But now so much time has passed, I don’t know that it would mean the same to me now. Now we have different memories some painful some not..of her cancer diagnosis, completion of treatment…first real no diaper day! I love following your blog because somehow it makes me feel more centered and aware in my own life with my kids. Bless you Kelle

Both of my sweet baby boys were born in Room 7 at that very hospital. Seeing those pictures brought me back to my own journey through that doorway The funny thing is for about three years after his brother was born, every time we went by The Baby (Birth) Place (as He called it), Mason would want to drop his brother off…Happy Birthday to Nella

Your blog is so very inspiring! I just love how you truly cherish and celebrate every moment you can – enjoying the small (and BIG) things, I guess! I just told my husband that we have to toast our daughter tomorrow night…she will be one tomorrow! Thanks for inspiring me yet again!

Love your blog Kelle! Such a nice tribute to Nella…re-visiting the day of her birth! It’s crazy seeing the girls in shorts and t’s…we just got dumped with snow yet again here in Ontario! Enjoy your sunshine!!!

Thanks for sharing…it’s such a good reminder that the special, meaningful, life-changing moments come in the midst of the everyday. It’s a like a little sign in front of my face to say “Hey. You. Don’t take a single moment for granted!” Also, your new sponsor may be my new favorite place to shop!

Thank you for sharing your life with us. God knew what He was doing in room #7 one year ago. Nella couldn’t have asked for a better momma. Your posts always move me and make me want to be a better person.

I, too, am nearing the one year anniversary of when I found out my Brooklyn had Spina Bifida. I was 18 weeks pregnant, and it was a night I’ll never forget. I have all sorts of emotions welling up as the chill in the weather and the smells of the air remind me of “the day,” but I can say that now I can’t imagine it happening any other way. Our Brooklyn is the light of this family, and we love her…just the way God made her.

On a lighter note, LOVE, LOVE that tea box (and I don’t even like tea)! 😉

I have no idea how on earth you read all these comments! Still, I’m leaving you one just the same. I’m a mom of three. Maggie-4, Mac-2, Mary Brooke-1. I first saw about your blog on facebook so I just clicked, being a fellow blogger myself since 2007. Anyway, I read your birth story first. Oh my. Tears streamed. Your writing made it feel as though I was in the room feeling each emotion with you. You are a very talented writer and photographer. Your daughters are just beautiful. And yes, Nella definitely has “love-me” eyes.

Fantastic new pics of your girls, Kelle – they are so gorgeous! Loving Lainey’s angry face – totally reminds me of my little niece (she loves pulling those types of faces… usually at Grandpa). I love your new planter & tea box, I agree that new stuff for the house is SO fun – and always a much needed incentive to tidy up!

I think it was brave to return to that room, the memories of those moments a year ago. I bet it would do a lot of people some good to go back and relive certain experiences. Everyone could use a little closure before moving forward right?:)

Thank you for sharing your story. I appreciate your sincerity. I am an Intervention Specialist for students with special needs. I love my job because I get to witness, daily, how awesome they truly are. You are so very blessed!

When your girls are older they’re going to realize how lucky they are to have such a loving mom. Not to be depressing, but I can only wish that my mom would have been half as enthusiastic to be a parent.

oh- wishing for sunshine! thanks for the shot of vicarious warmth… i think i’ll put on another sweater now. so glad your trip to the delivery room was healing & beautiful- thank you for sharing the emotions with us!

You know what my favorite thing about this post is? Exactly what you already pointed out. How you sandwiched something so terribly beautiful in between the somewhat ordinary but not really ordinary —such is life!

Enjoying the small things might just be my favorite post title of all time! There was so much in this one and I loved it. I cannot believe your girls are running around in their swimsuits! I swear, I am drying snow gear at least twice a day right now … C R A Z Y! Oh, your new header, I just love new headers!!

I am so proud and in awe of you for going back to that room. When I had Melanie in November I knew she would be born with down syndrome, so I don’t know that revisiting that room would be healing for me. We received her news in July from a specialist at the hospital whom we were not fond of…but we had to go back to see him the next week, and 2 weeks after that, and 2 weeks after that…perhaps next November we too will find a spot to reconcile.

I love how you organized this post.. like a nice juicy hamburger – the meat right in the middle. That was incredible to read and see it all go full circle.. what is it about us that loves things to feel complete.. not “be” complete but feel complete. Lvoe you and the girls kelle belle. xo

Good morning kelle……just here in my kitchen baking up a storm with my little early riser (oven was on at 6:30 am)…listening to your grooving, heart warming, fun loving music and loving the start to my Sunday. My Zach (6 years old) now refers to himself as the “grooving chef”. I just wanted to say thank you for being YOU!! You are celebrated all over the world for your wisdom, inspirations and your beautiful blog. These last few entries have tugged my heart in all directions…and the photos-spectacular!!

I love the picture of you and Heidi together..the two of you make me smile. I have a friend us knows me inside and out and I may not talk to her or see her everyday but when returning to those “sacred grounds” in life she is always by my side. ♥

I will be sooo happy when we can go play outside again and not worry about freezing! Love Nella’s wave at the end! She makes me happy! Thank you for blogging, you really do make peoples life different.

Room 7. The birth place of all my niece, twin nephews, a family friends baby was born in room 7 two weeks ago, and the birth place of sweet Nella. Although all different hospitals, different countries, different days and different years, there is clearly some magic in room 7. Thank you for sharing you experience in that magic room.

My favorite posts are your random posts, they give such a wonderful snapshot into your everyday life! I think next time my husband and I are in Florida, we may have to find that restaurant, those milkshakes look super yummy!

Woo hoo, we do all love us some free stuff. And I have to say, you are one strong, powerful woman… and congrats on the yeariversary of visiting that room and giving us all a glimpse of the new amazing feelings surrounding it.

LOVE this post. Love that you sandwiched your re-visit to room #7 right in between all of your other everyday enjoying the small things! Beautiful. The pictures of you and your friends back in that hospital room made me tear up! LOVE Nella’s precious little hand and her wave at then end too!

The angry face – I love it! It must be the age as Nathan just started doing it too. Along with the very forced and fake smile for when I ask if he is doing something that I just asked him not too do, the snarl/scowl, etc. And I am so glad that you went back to where Nella’s life began. It must be freeing, reminisce, joyful for the year past and a little sad, all at once.

You are such a strong, inspiring person that I really apprecaite you sharing your “stories” daily on the blog……and then you have prize drawings too, you are awesome! Now if I could be so lucky to win either of the giveaways I would be beside myself!

I just recently found your blog and have enjoyed reading about your journey to this point and look forward to reading about your path ahead. What an amazing experience it must have been to walk back into that room.

It is with great joy I read your blog, soooo happy I came across it.I am the proud mother of two girls, and my youngest one have Down syndrome.When she was born and MY world was falling apart for a split second, my dad said to me: “These children pick their own parents, you know, and I am so proud that my daughter was chosen!” Those words kept my head above water for the first heartbreaking days.My baby is turning two in two weeks, and I am so grateful she came to us, she is everything we could have hoped for.Thank you for sharing, Kelle- you have lovely, lovely girls!

This is way late (due to baby consuming most of my time and being too lazy to post from my phone), but I want to say the story about your mom and her new beau totally warmed my heart. I so want that for my mom.

I also went back in time this week…I delivered baby girl #5 and thought that everything would go as planned and it didn’t and I was forced to place my heart out there again as another one of my girls faced the NICU and some trials, but all is well now and we are home enjoying everyone. Thanks for sharing your heart:)

I just have to tell you again :0) how much I LOVE reading your posts…it inspires me so much and I find myself in a totally different space…a much better place…when I leave your happy blog. Thank you so much for sharing your world with us Kelle!

As usual, your post was heartwarming. How empowering to back to the day it all began and remember it – and how wonderful to see how far you’ve come. (And as a mama sharing a similar experience, how far I’ve come!) Lots of love to you and yours.

Like others have said, jealous of the weather Alhough, here, we have an inch of snow, and I’m so disappointed, because back home (in northern Indiana … they have like, oh 18+ inches of snow) … and I LOVE snow. OK, enough of me rambling.

Like others have said, jealous of the weather Alhough, here, we have an inch of snow, and I’m so disappointed, because back home (in northern Indiana … they have like, oh 18+ inches of snow) … and I LOVE snow. OK, enough of me rambling.

Like others have said, jealous of the weather Alhough, here, we have an inch of snow, and I’m so disappointed, because back home (in northern Indiana … they have like, oh 18+ inches of snow) … and I LOVE snow. OK, enough of me rambling.

Oh! Look at that Nellabean wave at the end of this post. Isn’t that the cutest thing ever? I can’t wait to have a family of my own and do these things that you did. There are things to enjoy even to the smallest and simplest day indeed!

Life is sweet, and a year ago I had the opportunity to meet my three nieces for the first time. The baby, Sami, who was just over one, did such a “mean baby” face she made herself belly laugh the morning I met her. We were lucky enough to capture it on camera. My little lovies have changed my world and I would never, ever want to go back to what it was without them.

I can only imagine how hard it was to go back to that room again. I think it would be quite an experience to go back to the room my son was born in too. Those rooms have a special place in our memories and it’s funny because we spend so little time there, but it’s the experience we have within the walls that changes us forever.

Although we don’t know each other and I occasionally write a comment I just wanted to tell you that I am so proud of how far you and Nella have come since her birth. I remember first reading Nella’s birth story and crying so hard. Your positive outlook on life and your emotional strength helps others, as well as myself, look at things so differently and so much more positive and I just want to say Thank You.

Also, RANDOM, but my daughter likes to watch youtube videos of songs featuring sesame street characters, and whenever I see the one of Feist singing her 1, 2, 3, 4 song I think of you. Maybe it’s the hair, or her joy, but I always think “is Feist Kelle’s alterego?”

Wow, I am envious of your sunny, warm weather. I’ve got some serious cabin fever, and I’m only in AL. We’ve had more snow this year than even my grandparents ever remember us having around here. Enjoy it!

Nella is so cute, and Lainey’s angry face is so funny. I’m glad that you were able to make it back to the birth room, and how nice that you had 2 close friends to share the reflections with. I always enjoy reading about you guys’ life!We had a blizzard here in Kansas City, but I really have been enjoying hunkering down this year. I’m sure I’ll equally enjoy the warmer weather when the time comes, though!

Great post… I agree that you have to come full circle.. Sometimes you have to take yourself back to that time when you thought your world was shaken and would never recover… You have to relieve that pain to TRULY appreciate the beauty and knowledge that you have gained from pulling through it and becoming a better person as a result… I love this blog and this post just affirms why I love it so much!

I love the idea of going back to the room you delivered in! I can remember every single detail of the rooms my children were born in…even what shows and episodes I watched while in labor. Anyway your blog is a inspiration. Thank you

This has been a hard year for me. I have struggled with myself and my emotions. The knowledge that exists deep in my soul that I’m meant to make something tremendous endlessly battles with the desire to be settled and simple and the result is an exhausted me, sometimes too confused to move. Through all of that, what I’m most proud of is the fact that I haven’t given up, that hope is still a big word in my vocabulary, and that I keep pushing on towards my tremendous creation. So, my word this year is Perseverance.

Love the tired from eating face, the angry face, the clover, how the Chutes and Ladders people look like your fam, making Valentine’s, tea…Random note: I love Carebears and recently won a purple one (my favorite color) from one of those ‘claw-grabber’ machines… it cost me six dollars I think over two days, but I won it… and snuggling with it makes me happy. I’m 28 and I’m cool with it… Love how you attempt to connect then to now…pain to joy… Much Love and Continued Blessings, Val-Marie :0)

Kelle…I fall in love with you the more I read your posts. You are an amazingly beautiful person who can express the rawest of emotions in the most touching way. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your special moments, sad moments, happy moments…LIFE MOMENTS with me.

Love the angry face, the sleepy face, and the love-me face…we’ve got those around our house on a regular basis too. If only I could get around to capturing them more often (and getting them OFF my camera).

You yearned for another baby. You wanted your family to grow. You looked forward to meeting her. You wanted her birth day to be a wonderful day and It was. Her first birthday was a magical celebration. And, most important of all, your Nella is so beautiful, so perfect and so amazing. I’m happy you were able to go back to Room 7 and honored that sacred ground with such good company, your Heidi and your Nana Kate. :)))

I feel that whatever happens is what is meant to happen…what we get in life may not be what we imagined we wanted…however…it is what we needed…our soul always knows exactly what we need…